××× Expresses readiness for poll
By Ezeocha Nzeh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that it will employ new technology to transmit results from the polling units to its central result viewing portal at the November 6, Anambra state governorship election.
This was disclosed Wednesday by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, at a one day event, organized by the INEC Press Corp in Abuja, ahead of the November, 6, election.
Okoye also revealed the commission has implemented eight. out of the fourteen items listed in the Timetable, adding that it will publish the Official Register of Voters and the Final List of nominated candidates bringing the total activities already implemented to ten(10).
The INEC, commissioner, who noted that Anambra State has a total of 21 Local Governments, 326 Registration Areas (Wards), 5,720 Polling Units and 2,447,996 registered voters, added that the number of registered voters will definitely increase with the end of the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise and the display of the said Register for Claims and Objections.
“As you are aware, on the 23rd May 2021 the Commissions facilities in its Anambra State office were attacked and destroyed. The Collation Centre was burnt, stores housing over 326 generating sets and the generating sets were burnt. 6 utility vehicles were set ablaze and the main building substantially damaged and burnt and over 50% of non sensitive materials meant for the election were also set ablaze.
“The Commission has made substantial progress in restoring these facilities and other burnt national electoral assets. The stores have been reconstructed and ready to receive materials. The Collation Center will be ready in a few days time and the restoration of the main building will also be completed in a few days time.
The implication is that in the next few days, the Commission will begin the movement of non sensitive materials from its zonal stores in different parts of the federation to Anambra State office, preparatory to batching and delivery to our Local Government Offices.
“The tenure of the incumbent Governor of Anambra State will expire on the 17th day of March 2022. Pursuant to section 178(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) and section 25(7) and (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), the earliest date for the election into the office of the Governor, Anambra State shall be the 18th day of October, 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be 15th day of February, 2022.
“By virtue of the provisions of section 1978(2) of the Constitution and section 25(8) of the Electoral Act, election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than One Hundred and Fifty days (150) and not later than Thirty Days (30) days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.
“Out of the fourteen items listed in the said Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the Commission has implemented 8 and on the 7th October 2021, the Commission will publish the Official Register of Voters and the Final List of nominated candidates bringing the total activities already implemented to ten(10).”
He disclisedvfurther thst “The Commission has made substantial progress in restoring these facilities and other burnt national electoral assets. The stores have been reconstructed and ready to receive materials.
The Collation Center will be ready in a few days time and the restoration of the main building will also be completed in a few days time. The implication is that in the next few days, the Commission will begin the movement of non sensitive materials from its zonal stores in different parts of the federation to Anambra State office, preparatory to batching and delivery to our Local Government Offices.
“The Commission will also deploy relevant and appropriate technology for the conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election. To this end, the Commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the accreditation of voters. The bimodal accreditation system will use fingerprints or facials for efficient voter accreditation.
Therefore, those engaged in identity theft must steer clear of the polling units in Anambra State as only voters that are properly authenticated using their fingerprints or facials will be allowed to vote.
“The Commission will also use its new technological device to upload polling unit level results to its central result viewing portal. Nigerians that have access to internet facilities can log in and view the results as they are being uploaded. For this, we have commenced elaborate voter education and publicity activities in the State.”
He emphasized the Commission’s determination to conduct a good election in Anambra State adding that all its processes and procedures are geared and targeted at achieving the objective.
“We assure the people of Anambra State and indeed all Nigerians that the votes of the people will be the only determinant of leadership succession in Anambra State.
“We therefore appeal to all the critical stakeholders to rally round the Commission and give their maximum cooperation towards this goal. The Commission needs a safe and secure environment for efficient and professional deployment of staff and materials. We must realize that young men and women doing their National Youth Service form the bulk of our Presiding Officers. Some of them are the only sons and daughters of their parents. Some of them graduated from school through determined perseverance in the face of hardship. Some of them are the products of community effort while some of them did menial jobs to graduate. We therefore have a responsibility to protect them in the performance of this national assignment. No form of insurance can cover for the loss of one life and the Commission will on no account compromise on the safety and welfare of these individuals and all other staff that will be deployed for the election.”
